Riveting apparatus



y 4 R. s. OSBORNE RIVETING A1?PARATUS Fi led Aug. 5, 1940 4 Sweets-Shae;- 1

Q- INVENTOR. v 0- sewd BYQEM km a ATTORNEYS.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

R. s. OSBORNE RIVETING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 3, 1940 May 29, 1945.

R. s. OSBORNE RIVETING APPARATUS F iled Aug. 3, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

BY BM ,Mmfl

A TTORNEYS.

May 29, 1945.

R. S. OSBORNE RIVETING APPARATUS Filed Aug 3, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented May 29, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RIVETING APPARATUS Raymond S. Osborne, Sewickley, Pa. Application August 3, 1940, Serial No. 350,793

3 Claims.

of the type stated with means for so positioning an unheaded rivet in a rivet hole of a work piece that substantially equal lengths of the rivet projeot beyond the faces of the work piece to simultaneously form heads on both ends of the rivet.

A further object is to provide riveting apparatus of the type stated withmechanism for properly positioning a rivet in line with riveter dies.

A further object is to improve the construction and consequent operation of riveting apparatus of the type stated to the end that an initial slow speed and final high. speed movement of the driving die may be adequately controlled and varied.

Other objects will appear from the following description of the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiment of it shown in the accompanying drawings, of which Fig. l is a side view of a riveting apparatus generally similar to that shown in my above mentioned patent, the units ofthe apparatus being shown in suitable relative positions; Fig. 2 a diagrammatic View of the riveter shown in Fig. 1, the units of the apparatus being shown in central sectional views out of their customary positions, and conduits being shown forthe control of flow of pressure fluid to and from the several units; Fig. 3 a side view of a controller forming one of the units of the apparatus; Fig. 4 a combined plan and horizontal central sectional view of parts of the controller shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 a vertical central sectional view through a valve operating mechanism for controlling flow of pressure fluid to the power cylinder of the riveter; Fig. 6 a central sectional view of a rivet centering die; Fig. '7 a. side view of a modification of the right end of the rivet centering die shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 an elevation of a rivet positioner, a part of the positioner being shown in central sectional view; and Fig. 9 a side view of a rivet formed especially for use when driven in "a vertical position.

As shown in Fig. 1, the riveting apparatus here illustrated is similar to that shown in my above mentioned patent in that it includes a yoke having arm I and 2 which form a gap between them for receiving a work piece 3, indicated as being the overlappin edges of a pair of plates. Arm 2 is equipped with a reciprocable driving die 4 which is actuated by a power cylinder mechanism 5 including a reciprocable piston rod 6 connected, as indicated, through suitable togglearms 1, 8 and 9 to the driving die. Yoke arm I is equipped with a stationary die l0 which preferably, although not necessarily, includes a rivet centering instrumentality, such as illustrated in Fig. 6 and explained hereinafter.

As somewhat diagrammatically illustrated in' for effecting a power stroke, and with a port I4 for supplying air to an annular chamber within cylinder I l formed between the skirt of the piston and a shoulder l5 near its lower end, the air supplied through port I 4 being for the purpose of effecting the return idle stroke of the piston. Between the outer ends-of ports [3 and I4, cylinder I l is provided with an exhaust P rt Is. For controlling flow to and from the opposite ends of piston l2, a suitable slide valve I1 is mounted for movement over the outer ends of ports l3, l4 and IS in the well known manner, the movement of the valve being effected by an arm l8 which is pivoted at its upper end, as seen in Fig. 1, and provided with a tooth-like detent which engages the valve. The outer end of arm I8 is connected to a rod l9 adapted to be actuated in a manner presently to be explained, and which is illustrated in detail .in Fig. 5. The throw of arm l8 to move valve I! may be a'djustably limited by Stops in the form of set screws 20 and 2| (Fig. 1), this being for the purpose explained in my above mentioned patent.

The power stroke of piston 2 to move the driving die is effected in two stages, the first at a slow speed and under relatively low pressure, and the second at "a high speed under high pressure, the arrangement being such that during the slow speed advance of the die a rivet maybe properly centered in a rivet hole with substantially equal head-forming lengths of the rivet projecting beyond both faces of the work piece,-

and that thereafter the rivet may be driven and I headed quickly. For thus controlling the action of the power cylinder mechanism 5, and conse-.

'cordingly to turn arm quently the movement of driving die 4, a valve operator, such as shown in Fig. 5, is provided. This consists of a pressure cylinder equipped with a reciprocable piston 2'5 which is connected to a piston rod 21 attached at its outer end to rod ii). The opposite ends of cylinder 25 are provided with ports which are connected to air lines 28 and 29. For convenience in the diagrammatic showing of this cylinder in Fig. .2, it is turned end for end from the position in which it appears in Figs. 1 and 5. Attached to cylinder 25 and extending parallel to it, there is a rod' 30 whose end is telescopically received by a tube 3| attached by a block 32 to piston rod 21. Mounted for adjustment on tube 3| there is a stop 33 adapted to be engaged by a finger 34 reciprocably mounted in a casing 35 and pressed outwardly thereof by a spring 36. Within casing 35 a piston 37 is attached to finger 34, which piston is adapted to be moved downwardly against the resistance of spring 36 by .air supplied to the upper end of the piston through a line 38.

By a control whose construction and :operation will presently be explained, air is admitted to cylinder 2-5 through line .28 to causepiston 26 to move to the right, as viewed in Fig. 5, and acl:8 such :amount as is necessary to cause valve ll (Fig. 2) to partially open port l3 in power-cylinder H. The extent of this preliminary movement of piston 26 is determined by the position of stop 33 on tube '31 r of a rivet 43 extending through work piece 3.

with relation to finger 34, it being understood that when stop 33 engages finger 34 piston '26 can move no farther to the right. When the operator observes that a rivet is properly centered and positioned for driving, :he so operates the controller, presently to be explained, that air is admitted to casing 35 through line 38 to move finger 34 out of the path of stop .33. As a consequence of this, piston .26 moves farther to increase the opening of port l3 of power cylinder 1 l, the extent of which opening is determined by the position ofsetscrew120 '(Figs. '1 and 5) In the cold driving of cylindrical rivets simultaneously to provide headson :both of their ends, rivet blanks of "suitable length are first cut from rod stock. As is well known, the rivets are inserted in the rivet holes of work pieces before they are presented to a riveter. If the rivets are to be driven horizontally, the blanks may be cylindrical from end to end. If they are to be driven vertically, they are preferably provided with laterally extending projections to retain them in rivet holes when inserted prior to their being driven. In Fig. '9 there is shown a rivet 411 provided with a pair of projections 4| in the form of .nibs which are of such size as to prevent the rivet from falling through a hole. These nibs may be formed while the blanks are cut from rod stock Without any additional operation, and they may be positioned at any place in the head-forming portion of either end of the rivet. They may conveniently be positioned at the inner end of a head forming portion of the rivet to facilitate the positioning of a rivet in a hole in a work piece with substantially equal lengths of the rivet projecting beyond the face of the work piece.

Attached to the inner face of yoke arm I, as shown in Fig. 1, there is a rivet positioner, also shown in Fig. 8. adapted to engage the projecting end of a rivet and position it in alignment with the dies, Referring to those figures, the positioner includes an L-shaped arm 42 whose upper end is forked toreceive the projecting end ing the outward movement of sleeve '66.

The lower inner end of arm'42 is mounted in the upper horizontal portion of an arm 44, being spring-pressed outwardly therein, the lower end of which is pivotally mounted on a pin 45 which is borne by a block 45 mounted for vertical movement in a guide 41. Extending laterally from the lower end of arm 44, and connected to it, there is a hand lever 43 the outer end of which may be moved upwardly and downwardly to swing the upper end of arm 42 arcuately in a direction generally horizontal with relation to the dies 4 and H). For elevating and lowering arm 42, block 46 is attached to the upper end of a rod 49 which extends into a cylinder 50 where it is connected to a piston 54. This piston is urged yieldingly downwardly by a spring 52 and is adapted to be moved upwardly by air let into cylinder '58 througha flexible line '53. For controlling'the fiow of air through line 53, a suitable valve 54 is attached to hand lever 48, the valve being adapted to be operated by a button 55 which :when pressed downwardly permits flow of air from a supply line 56 through the valve and line 53.

In the operation of the rivet positioner shown in Figs. 1 and 8, an operator, when the hoisting or other apparatus moves a workpiece 3 so that a rivet 43 is adjacent 'to'the riveting dies, manipulates hand lever 48 and valve '54 to move the upper end of arm '42 laterally and upwardly, respectively, until the rivet is engaged by the forked end of arm 4?. and is moved'into align ment with the dies. Thereafter, the operator sets the riveter in operation in the manner hereinafter explained.

If the rivet is not so centered in the rivet hole that substantially equal lengths of it project beyond the face of the work piece, this is :efiected by rivet centering die 10 shown in Fig. 6, although if desired the rivet centering mechanism may be applied to die 4, or to both dies. The rivet centering die includes a die 60 which is provided at its rear end with a pin 6| extending into a socket formed in a block Iii! having a pin 63 for mounting the die in yoke arm I. It may be suitably held in place by a retaining member adapted to engage a groove 64 formed in pin '63. Surrounding die 60 there is a sleeve 65 which is provided at its left end with an inwardly turned flange Bl which engages a shoulder 68 for limit- The outer end of that sleeve is interiorly threaded to receive external threads upon an inwardly projecting sleeve-like portion of a gage 69. Within the sleeve 66 there is a spring 10 which normally urges gage 69 to its outermost position which is determined by the engagement of flange 67. with shoulder 68, and which may be varied by screwing gage 69 inwardly or outwardly of sleeve 66. In centering a rivet 43 in a hole in work piece 3, the pressure exerted by spring '10 upon gage 69 is suflicient to hold the gage in its outermost position against the adjacent face of the work piece until die 4 so moves the rivet through the hole that the inner end of the rivet bears against die 60. Further movement of die 4 upsets the shank of the rivet so that it fills the hole in the work piece and, when the rivet thus securely grips the work piece, the final driving stroke of die 4 causes heads to 'be formed on each end of the rivet, the work piece then being effective to move gage 69 rearwardly against the pressure exerted b spring Hi. When only one of the dies is provided with a rivet centerer as shown in Fig. 1, and a rivet is .the work piece engages the end of the gage.

initially so placed in the holes of a work piece that more than the head-forming length of the rivet projects beyond the face of the work piece that is engaged by gage 69, a workman moves the work piece upon the rivet until the face of The interior bore of gage 69 is preferably of such size that the metal ofa rivet head is not laterally confined by the gage during a head-forming operation, the advantage of which, in the cold- .driving of rivets, is disclosed in my Patent No.

2,070,309. If desired, the gage may consist of a plurality of fingers 69a, as illustrated inFig. 7, so that an operator may observe the end of a rivet lying in the gage.

As has been stated, the operation of the riveter is effected through a controller which is shown somewhat in detail in Figs. 3 and 4, and diagrammatically in Fig. 2. The remainder of the construction of the riveter, and its operation, will be explained with reference to the controller. Rotatably mounted in a controller casing'IS there is a shaft I6 to which there are attached a series of cams A-I, inclusive. The face of each of these cams is suitably formed to move inwardly a valve stem 11 at the proper time during the movement of a control lever 18 which is attached to shaft 16. Each stem I1 is attached to a valve 18 which is spring-pressed to closed position in a valve casing 80. As shown in Fig. 4, the ends of each valve casing on the opposite sides of valve 19 are provided with air ports 8| and 82. Some of these valves control air supply and others control exhaust. By providing separate controls for the exhausts, the operations of the fluid pressure mechanisms which they control may be varied and made more flexible.

Conveniently located adjacent to the end of control lever I8 there is an indicator showing the several positions of that lever to effect a cycle of 7 operation of the riveter. This indicator is marked N for the neutral or idle position of the rivetr, and bears markings L, S, T and V to each of which the control lever is successively moved to the right, as'viewed in Fig. 3, during a riveting operation.

At the left of the neutral position N of the control lever the indicator is marked R for showing the position of thelever when the power -cyl inder is reversed to withdraw driving die 4. This reversal is preferably effected automatically rather than manually, when a predetermined air pressure is applied to piston I2 (Fig. 2) of the power cylinder. For this purpose, cylinder II is provided with a port from which there extends an air line 83 that leads to a valve casing 84. Within this casing there is a valve 85 which is held yieldingly against its seat by a spring 86 whose pressure may be varied by the position of a set screw 81 threadably mounted in casing 84. This casing is connected by an air port 88 to one end of a cylinder 89 which is equipped with a piston 90 to which there is attached a rod ill. The outer end of this rod is provided with an elongated slot 92 which receives the end of a rod'93 attached to control lever 18. When the pressure in power cylinder II reaches that required for moving valve 85 from its seat in casing 84, pistonSIIis moved to the left, as shown in Fig. 4, to turn control lever I8 to its reverse position R. At a completion of the reverse movement of the riveter, control lever I8 is moved to its neutral position, either manually or by the action of the several spring-pressed valve stems 11 (Fig. I 4) on the faces of the several cams.

In Fig. 2 there is shown a modified form of rivet positioning arm 42a which differs fromthat shown in Figs. 1 and 8 in respectto the-,manner of effecting vertical movement of the arm. In Fig. 2 the vertical movement of arm 42a is effected by movement of control lever I8 instead of manipulating valve button as shown in Fig. 8. For this purpose, ca'm shaft I6 is provided with cams F, G, H and I which may be omitted if the rivet positioner of Fig. 8 isused.

Assuming that control lever I8 is in its neutral N position shown in Fig. 3, it is first moved to position L which a'ctuates cams G and H. The actuation of cam G opens a valve between a branch 95 which communicates with an airline 96 connected to a main supply air line 91. Air then flows from branch 95 through a line 98 which leads to the bottom of a cylinder 50a, to elevate rivet positioning arm 42a. Simultaneously therewith the upper end of cylinder 50a, is, by the movement of cam H, open to an exhaust 99 through an air line I00, as indicated by arrows on line 99 and branch line IIH connected to it adjacent to the controller.

After a rivet is positioned in alignment with the dies by arm 42a, control lever I8 is moved to its next position, indicated at S, which causes cams E and B to control the flow of air to and from cylinder 25 (Fig. 5) for eiiecting the preliminary slow motion movement of driving die 4. As seen in Fig. 2, cam E opens a valve to permit flow of air from a branch supply line 96, connected to line I02, to line 28 at the end of cylinder 25, and cam B opens line at the opposite end of cylinder '25 to an exhaust I03 through a branch line I04 connected to line 29. Exhaust I03 is provided with a manually controlled valve to so limit the rate of exhaust that in the final movement of piston 20 it will not hammer against the end of cylinder 25,

When the slow movement of driving die 4 is concluded, the rivet having been positioned in alignment with the dies, control lever 18 is moved to position T indicated in Fig. 3, and. by such movement cams F and I are actuated to effect a lowering of rivet positioning arm 42a. By cam I air is supplied from a branch I05, connected to line 96, to line I00 leading to the top of cylinder 50a, and by cam F the lower end of that cylinder is open to an exhaust I06 through a branch line I01 which is connected to line 98 leading from the bottom of cylinder 50a.

The final movement of control lever 18 brings it to its position V (Fig. 3) which causes cam C to supply air to finger-removing cylinder 35 (Fig. 5) through line 33. This air is thus supplied to line 38 through a branch I08 which is connected, as indicated, to branch 96 of the air supply line. Finger 34 thus being moved out of engagement with stop 33, piston 26 in cylinder 5 is moved to open valve ll of control cylinder II to the maximum extent permitted by set screws 20 (Fig. 5); This results in supplying air at an increased rate to cylinder II to effect the final driving movement of die 4;

When the pressure in power cylinder II reaches its maximum, which is predetermined by the setting of set screw 8'! (Fig. "4) in valve casing 84, valve is unseated to permit flow of air from line 83 through valve casing 85 to port or line 38 which leads to cylinder 89. When air. is thus supplied to this cylinder, piston is moved to the left, as viewed in r'g. l, to throw control lever "I8 to its reverse position R, indicated in Fig. 3. This has the effect of bringing cams A andiD into operation. The movement of cam 11 :causes air to be supplied-through line 29 to cylinder 25 to move piston 26 towards the opposite end of that cylinder, the air thus supplied to line '29 flowing first through the branch I III which is connected, as indicated, to branch 96 of the main air supply line. Cam D opens line 28 from the other end of cylinder 25 to an exhaust III through a branch II2 which is connected to line 28. In this reverse movement of piston 25, slide valve I1 is moved to supply air through port I4 to the annular chamber between the skirt of power piston I2 and cylinder I I to cause the reverse movement of the piston, and simultaneously-therewith the end of piston I2 is placed in communication with exhaust port I5 of cylinder I I.

If it is desired to limit the reverse movement of piston I2, air may be supplied to an auxiliary cylinder I I5 attached to the end of power cylinder II. Cylinder 'I I5 is provided with a piston H6 connected to a rod I ll which extends through the end of cylinder IIand which is therein provided with a head I I8. When this head is moved inwardly of cylinder I I, it stops the reverse stroke of piston I2 short of the end of cylinder II. For thus actuating the auxiliary cylinder, air may besupplied through a line I I9 adapted to be controlled by a manually operable 3-way valve I which is connected by a line I2I to a branch of the air line.

Reference has been made to the fact that cams F, G, H and I control the flow of air to and from the opposite ends of cylinder 50a (Fig. 2) to raise and lower rivet-positioning arm 420.. If desired, these cams, each of which effects an opening of 'a normally closed valve, may be omitted from the controller and in lieu thereof flow of air to and from cylinder 59a may be controlled by a valve I (Fig. 2) which is mounted for reciprocation in a casing I25 and is provided with a stemwhen thepressure in cylinder II reaches a predetermined amount, it will unseat valve I36 in casing I to permit flow of air through the ass ing and line I34 to the bottom of piston I33 which-will then move upwardly. As a result of this movement of piston I33, valve I25 is moved upwardly to place the lower end of cylinder 50a in communication with exhaust port I32 of casing I26, such communication being effected through air line I33, and simultaneously to permit air to flow to the upper end of cylinder 50a through air line I 3 I.

If in the operation of the riveter it should be desired to control the reverse movement of driving die 4 manually, instead of automatically, this may be done by closing a manually operable valve I22 placed in line 83-which leads to automatic control valve casing 84. Valve I22 may be opened or closed at will.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes I have explained the principle and mode of operation of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent the best embodiment of it. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced which, and the ports to which air lines I30 and I I3I are connected, are controlled by slide valve I25. Thus, by manually pressing button I28 inwardly of casing I26, and permitting its movement in the opposite'direction by spring I29, an operator may at will control the veertical move ment of rivet-positioning arm 42a.

If it should be desired automatically to lower arm 42a when, during the power stroke of piston I2, the pressure in cylinder II reaches a predetermined amount, as for example when die 4 engages a rivet before ,an operator has lowered arm 42a, mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2 may be used. As there shown, stem I21 projects below valve I25 into a lower compartment of casing I26 and is there attached to a piston I33. Below this piston the lower end of casing I26 is provided with a port connected to an air line I34 extending from a valve casing I35 on one side of a ball check valve I35. This valve is yieldingly urged to its closed position by a spring I38 whose pres sure may be adjusted by a set screw I39. Valve I36 controls flow of air through a line I40 which extends from casing I35 to cylinder II. Thus,

otherwise than specifically illustrated and described. For example, while the various operating units have been illustrated and described as being pneumatically operated and controlled, it

is apparent that as far as concerns some of the features of my invention, electric instrumentalities may be used.

I claim:

1. In a compression riveter for simultaneously upsetting and forming heads on both ends of an unheated rivet, the combination of a frame equipped with static-nary and reciprocable dies, a rivet positioner pivotally supported on said frame comprising an arm formed to engage an end of a rivet projecting from the face of a work piece, and means for swinging said arm and forsmoving it vertically to position the rivet in alignment with said dies.

2. In a compression riveter for simultaneously upsetting and formingheads on both ends of an unheated rivet, the combination of a frame equipped with stationary and reciprocable dies, a rivet positioner attached to said frame comprising an arm formed to engage an end of a rivet projecting from the face of a work piece, manual means for moving said arm laterally and fluid pressure means for moving it vertically to position the rivet in alignment with said dies.

3. In a compression riveter, the combination of cooperating, stationary and reciprocable dies, a single fluid pressure cylinder and a piston reciprocable therein for actuating said reciprocable die, a valve for controlling flow of pressure fluid to and from said cylinder to move said piston, pressure actuated means for moving said valve, a removable and adjustable stop for limiting the movement of said valve-moving means, and a manually operable controller movable first to a predetermined position to supply pressure fluid to said valve-maving means to open said valve to the extent determined by said stop and then to a successive predetermined position to effect removal of said stop fully to open said valve, whereby to supply first a low and thereafter a high rate of flow of pressure fluid to said cylinder to effect a preliminary slow and a final rapid movement of the reciprocable toward the stationary die.

RAYMOND S. OSBORNE. 

